Graduates: Honor the Legacy of Education

Phyillicia Bishop of Brooklyn, NY and 571 other Sage graduates received their degrees on Saturday, May 9, 2009 (Tim Raab)

When I address graduates at Commencement, I greet everyone in multiple languages in recognition of the parents from many cultures who may be witnessing the graduation of the first in their families to complete college.

I ask all present to thank the family members of graduates. I love to see the expressions as parents, grandparents, siblings, spouses, children and “all who claim our graduates” are asked to stand. I love the cheering from the graduates as they acknowledge their families.

At The Sage Colleges93rd Commencement on Saturday, May 9, we had several very special graduates. Three members of one family received degrees at the ceremony: a father, mother, and daughter. Chris Shepherd and his wife Kathleen each graduated with a B.S. in Computer Science from Sage College of Albany. Their daughter, Courtney Shepherd, who earned a B.F.A. from Sage College of Albany in 2007, this year received a Master of Arts in Teaching from Sage Graduate School.

We also had a third generation Sage graduate in this year’s class. Sage College of Albany graduate Benjamin Gorenstein is the son and grandson of Russell Sage College alumnae.

These examples make me think of education as a legacy. In my remarks to graduates, I said,

“As students, you struggled, and you probably borrowed and sometimes you wanted to give up, but today, you have those degrees. Around the world, education is a precious commodity. Be successful, and also be generous with your knowledge. Be a mentor and watch a young professional bloom. Know the joy of helping someone to heal. Use your skills to educate a child, a community or to bring art or music into people’s lives. Share ideas liberally. Give your time to students who want a few minutes with you, to a community leader who has a case to make, to a co-worker with an idea. Reach back to the next generation of students, for they will stand on your shoulders.”